Slash Feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators at Concord Music Hall in Chicago,IL on 18-May-2015

On Monday night, a rock n’ roll icon brought his bandÂ to Chicago and made it feel like a Friday night on the Sunset Strip.

It’s rare, even when a venue is sold out, for the majority of the audience to be ready and waiting for the support act to take to the stage. However, on Monday night, the venue was 80 percent full and there was a palpable buzz ahead of Fozzy opening the show. Chris Jericho took to the stage in one of his signature wrestling jackets adorned with hundreds of flashing lights, and the band proceeded to power through a riff heavy hard rocking set, complete with one of the best Abba covers you will ever hear.

Slash, Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators walked to the stage and launched into “You’re a Lie,” followed by “Nighttrain.” The crowd roared their appreciation from the first minute and the band responded, looking like they were thoroughly enjoying playing a sold out Concord Music Hall, with the audience at such close quarters.

It’s clear how much time the band spends on the road when you watch them on stage; it’s like watching a well-oiled machine. Todd ‘Dammit’ Kerns, Brent Fitz, and Frank Sidoris provide a rock solid foundation over which Myles’ vocals and Slash’s guitar work soar.

Slash, as always seems to be the case when he’s on stage, looked in his element. His playing currently is more fluent than ever. The familiar bluesy riffs and licks over hard rock tunes still regularly making the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. It’s also clear that after all these years he still lives for those two hours on the stage every evening.

As theÂ nightÂ progressed, the band worked through a diverse set including songs from Slash’s first solo album, Apocalyptic Love and World on Fire, as well as a Velvet Revolver track and, of course, a healthy sprinkling of Guns n’ Roses tunes. Highlights included “Back From Cali” featuring some of Myles’ best vocal work and “Welcome to the Jungle” with Todd Kerns showcasing his own impressive vocal ability to a delighted audience.

By the time the last piece of confetti landed on the floor after “Paradise City,” the crowd was breathless and surely already looking forward to the next time the band come to town.Â A fantastic show by a band who do hard rock as well as anybody on the scene today. Highly recommended.

About The Author

Kirstine moved from the UK to Chicago in 2011, and has fallen in love with the city and its music scene. She enjoys combining her two biggest passions – music and photography. If there is a band with a guitar playing, chances are she’ll be there…camera in hand. Kirstine went to her first live concert at 7 years old, and hasn’t looked back since!